Barcelona striker David Villa has returned to hospital as he continues to suffer pain from kidney stones, his club have confirmed.

The 31-year-old was admitted to hospital to have the stones removed on Monday and was released a day later, but a statement from Barca on Wednesday morning said he had returned to be kept under observation.

The statement read: "The club's medical services have released a statement explaining that David Villa has been readmitted to the Hospital of Barcelona 'due to the persistence of the pain caused by the renal colic he is suffering and to keep him under observation'.